Congrats to Bejarano

[ELA]

Originally Posted by CSC

Alex Solis is really a shadow of his former self, sorry to see that as I always thought he was one of the best riders in NA.

It's a long way down from the days of Mccarron, Eddie D, Antley, Stevens, Pincay, Kent D, Solis, Flores, Nakatani were all on the track at the same time.

I also always felt Alex was one of the best riders in the US. He was often overlooked when people would talk about "the best" and there doesn't seem to be too many people these days who like what he's doing on track. I don't direct my comments toward the poster who I quoted above of course, but I think there is a lot more to this discusssion.

So, you know what, I am going to be accused to defending Alex because he's my friend, I like him, think he's a nice guy, etc. So be it. The critics will say that Alex is older, getting older or what have you. Yes, so are we all, LOL. They will also say he's not the same rider he was after his horrific accident, which should have ended his career. So here's the deal that most people don't understand -- No, he's not the same rider. He's not supposed to be. Not for a period of time at least. Every jock for the most part comes back from a bad accident, one that could have killed you, a little bit gun-shy. It's human nature. It's all back out, around and go wide -- rather than shoot the rail, get in tight, etc. The exception of course was Cordero, LOL.

Anyway, I am not going to get into names, but look at every jock in this type of situation. There are plenty of others, who were in their 20's and 30's and came back very hesitant and were for quite some time. The older you are, the more cautious and longer the recovery time is.

To me, as an owner, I would have no problem putting Alex on a stakes horse, regardless of the surface, purse, stake, etc. When the money is down you are still talking about a strong, knowledgable, versatile jock -- who many qualified opinions thought was one of the best in the game -- who CAN and WILL shoot the rail and get in tight when neccessary. I also think he rode well this past meet, making the most of the opportunities he was dealt. Maybe he's entering the late "Jerry Bailey" stage of his career as some might see it. Richard Migliore talked about this a lot and riding 10 claimers.

Anyway, Alex will keep riding, I think you will see him get back a bit more to what people would call his old self.

Eric

[Rootdog1]

Did Headly and Solis part ways....noticed he was not riding first call at the end of the Santa Anita meet.

I also respectfully disagree, Solis has changed for the worse. He will not go back to what he once was. That being said, he gets way to much crap as he is not as bad as what everyone says...he just isnt what he used to be. I would take him ont he turf but never on a speed horse.

[ELA]

Originally Posted by Rootdog1

Did Headly and Solis part ways....noticed he was not riding first call at the end of the Santa Anita meet.

I also respectfully disagree, Solis has changed for the worse. He will not go back to what he once was. That being said, he gets way to much crap as he is not as bad as what everyone says...he just isnt what he used to be. I would take him ont he turf but never on a speed horse.

Of course he's changed and as I said he's not the rider he once was. And he might not ever be -- not day in day out, race in, race out, 10 claimer, riding 6 or 8 horses a day.

I think his business is evolving. I think he's going to ride as much as he can to get his business activity rolling again, and then he'll ride a bit less. Perhaps more selectively, more strategically, etc. I don't think it will be far too long before we start to see glimpses of the Alex Solis of old. And if we don't and he doesn't want to be that kind of jock, he'll retire someday.

As jocks get older, come back from injuries, move their tack, etc., there business evolves. We're not talking about some no-name, never was, third-rate jockey here. I think as the colony in Southern CA settles a bit, Alex will have strong summer and fall meets, and come spring time . . . you just never know, LOL.

Thanks.

Eric

[CSC]

Originally Posted by ELA

I also always felt Alex was one of the best riders in the US. He was often overlooked when people would talk about "the best" and there doesn't seem to be too many people these days who like what he's doing on track. I don't direct my comments toward the poster who I quoted above of course, but I think there is a lot more to this discusssion.

So, you know what, I am going to be accused to defending Alex because he's my friend, I like him, think he's a nice guy, etc. So be it. The critics will say that Alex is older, getting older or what have you. Yes, so are we all, LOL. They will also say he's not the same rider he was after his horrific accident, which should have ended his career. So here's the deal that most people don't understand -- No, he's not the same rider. He's not supposed to be. Not for a period of time at least. Every jock for the most part comes back from a bad accident, one that could have killed you, a little bit gun-shy. It's human nature. It's all back out, around and go wide -- rather than shoot the rail, get in tight, etc. The exception of course was Cordero, LOL.

Anyway, I am not going to get into names, but look at every jock in this type of situation. There are plenty of others, who were in their 20's and 30's and came back very hesitant and were for quite some time. The older you are, the more cautious and longer the recovery time is.

To me, as an owner, I would have no problem putting Alex on a stakes horse, regardless of the surface, purse, stake, etc. When the money is down you are still talking about a strong, knowledgable, versatile jock -- who many qualified opinions thought was one of the best in the game -- who CAN and WILL shoot the rail and get in tight when neccessary. I also think he rode well this past meet, making the most of the opportunities he was dealt. Maybe he's entering the late "Jerry Bailey" stage of his career as some might see it. Richard Migliore talked about this a lot and riding 10 claimers.

Anyway, Alex will keep riding, I think you will see him get back a bit more to what people would call his old self.

Eric

You make a great point Eric, it's easy to nitpick why a Jockey would go outside rather than save ground and go inside sitting from where we are sitting. The fact is these guys have very difficult jobs, one that I would be the 1st to admit one couldn't pay me enough to risk my life of being trampled by a 1000lb animal. I don't know if many ever make it all the way back. Nakatani prior to his horrific spill to a horse named Candice in Spring I think at Delmar I would have rated as one-two-three at the time as the best Jockey in NA. I don't think he is near the level as he once was also. To be honest I don't blame these guys one bit. Sometimes we take for granted these guys risk their lives out there on a daily basis.

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by CSC

Nakatani prior to his horrific spill to a horse named Candice in Spring I think at Delmar

Her name was Candace in Paris, and she was a tremendously talented daughter of Theatrical that Simon Bray trained for Paulson.

I believe Nakatani had the mount on Generally Challenged in the Pacific Classic that same day - and lost it to Laffit Pincay Jr. because of the injury he suffered in the spill.

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Jockeys are all just easy to hate.

The best field of horses, from top-to-bottom, I've ever seen assembled for a race was the '98 Breeders Cup Classic. The "all-star" collection of jockeys riding in that race turned it into an absurd spectacle where no one was riding their own horse... and everyone was trying to ride someone elses horse.

If you didn't know what exactly was going on - you'd think all the riders near the front of the pack in that race had all lost their collective minds.

[philcski]

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

Jockeys are all just easy to hate.

The best field of horses, from top-to-bottom, I've ever seen assembled for a race was the '98 Breeders Cup Classic. The "all-star" collection of jockeys riding in that race turned it into an absurd spectacle where no one was riding their own horse... and everyone was trying to ride someone elses horse.

If you didn't know what exactly was going on - you'd think all the riders near the front of the pack in that race had all lost their collective minds.

Yet another reason Awesome Again was one of the most underrated horses of this generation.

[ELA]

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

Her name was Candace in Paris, and she was a tremendously talented daughter of Theatrical that Simon Bray trained for Paulson.

I believe Nakatani had the mount on Generally Challenged in the Pacific Classic that same day - and lost it to Laffit Pincay Jr. because of the injury he suffered in the spill.

You are right -- I forgot her name until you mentioned it, but I remember the race and the spill. I also think you are right about the Classic, but I'd have to do some google searching to check it out.

Eric

[The Indomitable DrugS]

I'm 100% sure about it.

Pincay wasn't named to replace C-Nak on GC until about 25 minutes to post.

[LARHAGE]

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

I'm 100% sure about it.

Pincay wasn't named to replace C-Nak on GC until about 25 minutes to post.

You are correct, I was there that day and Laffit got a nice ovation from the crowd when his name was announced as General Challenge's replacement rider, unfortunately it was won by Skimming the Del Mar track loving Frankel runner, his first of 2 Pacific Classic scores in a row.

[CSC]

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

Her name was Candace in Paris, and she was a tremendously talented daughter of Theatrical that Simon Bray trained for Paulson.

I believe Nakatani had the mount on Generally Challenged in the Pacific Classic that same day - and lost it to Laffit Pincay Jr. because of the injury he suffered in the spill.

Thanks that's right, I was going off the top of my head.

I knew it was Candace in Spring, Aspen or Paris. Remember that race well.